get ready to go live

How to use Facebook Live – your guide to watching live video and streaming with the social media giant

Keen to do a Facebook Live but not sure how it works and what to share?

Here is a handy guide to creating and watching the video content on Facebook.

Alamy

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Anyone can share a Facebook Live video with their followers and respond to viewers leaving comments

What is Facebook Live?

Facebook Live is a feature that lets users share live video with their followers and friends.
The tool is available for all pages and profiles on Facebook for iOS and Android.
Videos appear in the news feed and on the streamer’s page or profile while they are live, and can be viewed after they finish.
And so long as you have a signal and can connect to the social network, you can start a Facebook Live video virtually anywhere.

How do you do a Facebook Live?

Head to your news feed and tap the Live button which is located under the section where you add statuses and images and can check in.
You can also go live from your Facebook profile by tapping the “What’s on your mind?” bar and selecting Live Video from the list.
Next you need to give Facebook access to your camera and microphone when prompted.

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People are able to leave reactions under the video and submit comments for the video creator to answer

Then, select the privacy settings for the video which is basically choosing who you wish to see the broadcast.
Add a description to the video, so people know what the video is about, and consider tagging friends or adding a location.
Before you go live, make sure your camera is pointing in the right direction. You can hold your phone either vertically or horizontally and it makes no difference, as the video will be square.
Tap the Go Live button and start recording your video.
Interact with your viewers and reply to any comments they have.
When you are done, click Finish to end the broadcast.

Alamy

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The Facebook Live function lets you stream video content from wherever you are in the world, as long as there is a good WiFi or 4G network

How to get the most views on your Facebook Live?

• Tell your friends or following ahead of time that you are going to broadcast video. Facebook found that a day’s notice is best for giving people time to tune in.
• Make sure you have a strong connection, either WiFi or 4G.
• Add a catchy description or headline to your post before going live to grab people’s attention.
• Ask your viewers to subscribe to your Facebook Live videos so they get notified every time you go live.
• Respond to your commenters by name and answer any questions they leave in the comments.
• Make sure your video is a good length; the longer the stream the more time it gives people to tune in.
• Be creative with your Facebook Lives.

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Facebook recommends going live for at least ten minutes, to give people a chance to tune in

What kind of things can you Facebook Live?

There are so many possibilities for sharing content with your friends or followers.
Some ideas include:

• Streaming a music performance
• Having a Q&A session answering questions
• Interviewing a friend or expert
• Doing a demo e.g. for cooking or playing music
• Behind-the-scenes tour of an interesting location

The Queen makes her first ever Facebook Live broadcast from Young Leaders’ Awards at Buckingham Palace

ONE IS LIVE

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The Queen makes her first ever Facebook Live broadcast from Young Leaders’ Awards at Buckingham Palace